28 Christmas Party Ideas for the Most Epic Night Ever

‘Tis the season for presents, festive dessert shots, and (our personal favorite) holiday parties. Whether you’re throwing a fancy soiree with your family or a more casual affair for your #squad, now is the time to start your holiday decor pinboards, stockpile entertaining essentials, and come up with a killer theme. Instead of throwing the same old party you’ve been hosting for ages, mix things up with a holiday shindig that’s totally epic this year. Check out these 26 DIYs, decor ideas, and trendy themes that’ll have your guests RSVPing YAS!

1. Wreath Witherspoon: Thanks to Mindy Kaling’s The Mindy Project, this tribute to our fave legal blonde is now our new favorite holiday decoration. Invite some friends over, and make one together! (via Brit + Co)

2. Honeycomb Backdrop: If you’re looking for a colorful, swoon-worthy backdrop for your dessert table (who isn’t?), you can’t go wrong with a wall covered in honeycomb shapes. How pretty are those jewel tones with pops of gold? (via Sugar & Cloth)

3. DIY Snow Globe Cake: The best way to do snow globes? DIY edible versions, duh. Take your cake to the next level with a little fondant and some cheerful cake toppers. (via Brit + Co)

4. DIY Bubbly Balloon Backdrop: Simple, gorgeous, and DIY — all of our favorite things! This easy balloon backdrop will transform any blank wall — and the tree! — into a breathtaking party scene. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

5. Jazz Up the Bar Cart: It doesn’t get much more festive than a bar cart full of presents and gold barware. Layered garlands and mini bottle brush trees create punchy decor accents for any holiday get-together.(via Sugar & Cloth)

6. DIY Edible Chocolate Trees: Foil-wrapped chocolates will make these pretty trees the main attraction at all your holiday parties. Line them up along the mantel or use them as an inexpensive table centerpiece at your next shindig. (via Brit + Co)

9. Ugly Sweater Party: If you believe that tacky equals awesome, an ugly sweater party might be in your future. This is the one holiday-themed bash that requires zero outfit stress. Why? Because the flashier the sequins and the cheesier the baubles, the better. (via Brit + Co)

11. Holiday Card Party: If you’re going with good old-fashioned snail mail this season, nothing beats a sassy holiday card. Get all your friends in on the fun and throw a party dedicated to hand-lettered addresses and actual stamp-licking. (via Brit + Co)

12. DIY Printable Holiday Gift Wrap: Round up a group of friends for a spur-of-the-moment holiday wrap party. Make sure to get plenty of tape at the store, then warm up your printer and go crazy with this tropical-themed gift wrap. (via Studio DIY)

13. DIY Punny Tree Ornaments: DIY queens will love the idea of a holiday party based on putting their own spin on ornaments. Stock up on plain glass balls at the dollar store and let your friends have a blast coming up with holiday puns. They can then take their handiwork home at the end of the night as a fab party favor. (via Brit + Co)

14. White Elephant Gift Exchange: Skip the grand festivities in favor of a cozy night in with the people you love. Order in pizza, break out the Trader Joe’s wine, and get ready to share some hilariously weird and wacky gifts. (via Brit + Co)

16. DIY ’90s Throwback Tree Ornaments: Our sources say these are the ornaments your party needs to be wicked cool. Instead of Santa or reindeer, turn your tree into an homage to everything awesome about the ’90s, including Koosh balls (‘member those?). (via Aww Sam)

17. DIY Giant Ornament Balloons: While mini decorations are pretty adorable, there’s no denying the appeal of a super-sized ornament. Let these beauties bounce across the floor, bunch them together for a photo shoot, or hang them on your porch — they’ll rock the party no matter where you put them. (via Studio DIY)

18. Tree Decorating Party: Turn your tree lighting into the main event. Invite your entire squad over for coffee and cocktails, then get your decorating on by DIYing a few baubles. Bonus points for getting your friends to untangle your string lights for you. (via Brit + Co)

19. DIY Advent Calendar: Marble backdrop? Check. Tiny packages full of goodies? Check and check. Congrats, you’re well on your way to counting down to Santa’s arrival in style. (via Brit + Co)

20. DIY Christmas Light Balloon Garlands: String ’em on the tree, hang them across the mantel, or use them as a photo booth prop. Seriously, these light bulb garlands can do it all. The best part is that you can totally customize the dye job to go with your unique color palette. (via Studio DIY)

21. DIY Confetti Cannon: It’s not a party until the confetti shows up. Pop the bubbly, then pop these rad DIY confetti cannons to kick off your bash in style. (via Brit + Co)

22. DIY Blendo Ornaments: This teal, pink, and red take on holiday decor is simple and chic. Decorate your tree with gold stars, red ribbon, and soft sage leaves for an extra pop of texture. Then follow this DIY to recreate the soft pastel ombre ornaments. Ooh, magical. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

23. Holiday Happy Hour: Decking out your bar cart for the holidays can be a snap. Hang some swag and swap out your wine glasses for something gilded to show off your signature Christmas cocktail. (via Brit + Co)

24. Christmas Tree Cactus: Everyone will be saying Feliz Navidad once they catch a glimpse of your cactus dressed in pom-pom fringe. You won’t even need a tree as long as all of your plants have some festive flair. (via Sugar & Cloth)

26. Metallic Eggnog Cups: It’s time to give that punch bowl set you found at the thrift store a new lease on life. The metallic paints are stylish without making the cups look like something you purchased exclusively for Christmas. (via Design Improvised)

27. DIY Flamingo Snow Globe Ornaments: Forget about snowmen and reindeer — you and the girls need more flamingos with scarves on your craft to-do list. (via Club Crafted)

Kate Thorn is an illustrator, foodie, photographer, and blogger at Create & Kate. She loves creating art, traveling, and all things chocolate. A native to the Great Northwest, she is currently living in London and pretending to be a mature grad student.